Understanding, curing alcoholism one
donation at a time

The stigma surrounding
alcoholism not only affects individuals suffering from the disease, but
can also affect research efforts. Institutions investigating alcohol
and drug abuse typically receive fewer donations than those researching
diseases such as cancer or diabetes. In an effort to de-stigmatize a
disease that affects so many people, the Diane Beever Trust has donated
$500,000 to the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP).

The funds will be used in a variety of ways to support research and
preventive education regarding alcoholism, foster better understanding
of the reasons why people drink excessively and to discover new ways to
prevent and treat alcohol-related conditions.

“It is gratifying that the Beever Trust saw fit to provide money for
cutting edge research in alcoholism,” said Raymond Anton, M.D., CDAP
director. “There is hope that others will follow suit to support the
search for the cause, prevention, and treatment of this devastating
illness.”

Research areas could include:

Investigations into the genetic basis of alcohol effects
and alcohol use disorders;

Finding ways of preventing and treating ‘high risk’
individuals;

Conducting pioneering brain imaging studies in adolescents
and young adults who might be vulnerable to developing alcohol use
disorders; and

Extending outreach and educational efforts to inform the
general public about the causes, progression, and treatments for
alcohol use disorders.

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008Catalyst Online is published weekly,
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